Illinois man sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting minor

URBANA, Ill. — A local Illinois man was sentenced Monday to 15 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a minor and possessing child pornography.

This sentence resulted from an investigation by Urbana Police Department, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in cooperation with the Champaign County (Illinois) State’s Attorney and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Talon G. Wright, 39, of Urbana, was sentenced Sept. 21 by U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce, Central District of Illinois, to 15 years in federal prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release after his release from prison. 

Wright pleaded guilty May 14 to using and coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct to produce visual images in late 2011 and early 2012. Wright also pleaded guilty to possessing computer devices containing child pornography on Aug. 1, 2014.

Wright has remained in U.S. Marshals Service custody since his arrest Oct. 27, 2014.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elly M. Peirson, Central District of Illinois, prosecuted this case. 

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 12,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page. HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.